What are some interesting facts about dragonflies?
What is the difference between Butterfly and Dragonfly?
- Butterflies feed on nectar whereas Dragonflies feed on other insects.
- Butterflies have long antennae whereas Dragonflies have short antennae.
- Butterflies have opaque wings of different colours whereas Dragonflies have transparent wings.
- Butterflies have two wings and Dragonflies have two pairs of wings.
What are facts about dragonflies?
Mind-Blowing Facts About Dragonfly Migration
- Some Dragonflies Migrate in Swarms. If you've ever seen a swarm of dragonflies zoom past you, you've seen a rare sight: a migratory dragonfly swarm.
- Other Dragonfly Migrations Are Nearly Invisible. ...
- One Type of Dragonfly Migrates Up to 11,000 Miles. ...
What does it mean to have a dragonfly Follow You?
The dragonfly symbolizes great transformation and personal growth, and invites you to dive into your emotions for fuller understanding of yourself and your personal journey. Dragonflies change direction quickly, and seemingly fly without any effort at all.
What are dragonflies attracted to?
How to Attract Dragonflies for Pest Control
- Add Water Features. The best way to attract dragonflies to your lawn or garden is with water. ...
- Grow Water Plants. Aquatic plants, both those that are floating, submerged, and growing at the water’s edge, provide a variety of benefits to dragonflies.
- Provide Edging. ...
- Add Flat Rocks. ...
- Keep an Eye on the Fish. ...
- Beekeepers Beware. ...
Do dragonflies help humans?
Since dragonflies eat mosquitoes and other insects, they help gardeners and outdoor enthusiasts. This also helps the environment, because it allows humans to reduce the use of pesticides to kill these insects.
What are 5 interesting facts about dragonflies?
Dazzling Dragonfly Facts From HistoryDragonflies Are Older Than Dinosaurs. ... Prehistoric Dragonflies Were as Big as Crows. ... Dragonflies Were Named for the Devil's Horse. ... There Are More Than 5,000 Species of Dragonflies Today. ... Dragonflies Don't Have Teeth, But They Can Bite. ... Dragonflies' Eyes Cover Their Whole Head.More items...
What happens if a dragonfly bites you?
Dragonflies aren't an aggressive insect, but they can bite out of self-defense when they feel threatened. The bite isn't dangerous, and in most cases, it won't break human skin.
How long do dragonflies live for?
7 – 56 daysDragonfly / Lifespan (Adult)
What is unique about a dragonfly?
Dragonflies have nearly 360-degree vision, with just one blind spot directly behind them. This extraordinary vision is one reason why they're able to keep a watch on a single insect within a swarm and go after it while avoiding midair collisions with other insects in the swarm.
Why is it called dragon fly?
He stated that the Romanian word for Devil was “drac,” but that drac was also the Romanian word for dragon. He thought that eventually the Romanian name for the Devil's Fly was erroneously translated to the English Dragon Fly and this eventually evolved into the “dragonfly!”
What's a fun fact for the day?
Fun Facts and TriviaIt is impossible for most people to lick their own elbow. ... A crocodile cannot stick its tongue out.A shrimp's heart is in its head.It is physically impossible for pigs to look up into the sky.More items...
Are dragonflies deaf?
Did you know that dragonflies are deaf? They have no ears and no tympanum. They feel only loud sounds in very low frequencies. Eighty percent of their information comes from their eyes and is processed through 30,000 lenses.
What is the difference between a dragonfly and a damselfly?
Dragonflies may be confused with their smaller cousins the damselflies. The most recognizable difference is the flight where the Dragonfly is direct and powerful while the damselfly is fluttery. Also, the damselfly�s abdomen is proportionally longer and its eyes are spaced further apart.
What do dragonflies eat?
Dragonflies are voracious predators. Their diet consists a wide variety of insects including flies, mosquitoes, midges and other flying insects. Shown above is a Dragonfly eating a moth that was caught while in flight (note the wings and a portion of the moth�s abdomen can be seen). FIGURE 4.
How do dragonflies disperse?
The Dragonfly flies away from the water until it becomes sexually mature. This results in a dispersal where the Dragonfly finds other wetland areas. Perhaps this inherent plan allowed Dragonflies to be one of the most successful creatures on earth. Fossilized remains of large Dragonfly ancestors have been found indicating they were around 300 million years ago.
How fast can a dragonfly fly?
The Dragonfly has eyes that cover most of the head surface and they can fly at speeds of 20-35 miles per hour. Their prey include mosquitoes and midges as well as moths, butterflies, smaller dragonflies, and other flying insects.
What do nymphs eat?
Nymphs feed on aquatic insects, even small fish. Occurrence: Widespread across the county.
What is Beneficials in the Garden and Landscape?
Beneficials in the Garden & Landscape is an Earth-Kind TM program coordinated through Extension Horticulture at Texas A&M University. Earth-Kind uses research-proven techniques to provide maximum gardening and landscape enjoyment while preserving and protecting our environment.
How long does it take for a frog to molt?
Their main predators are fish and frogs. Again, depending on environmental conditions and species, immatures undergo approximately 10-20 molts, over a time between 3 months and 6-10 years. Immatures then crawl up a vertical plant stem and molt for the final time.
How do dragonflies keep their bodies warm?
Like all insects, dragonflies are technically ectotherms ("cold-blooded"), but that doesn't mean they're at the mercy of Mother Nature to keep them warm or cool. Dragonflies that patrol (those that habitually fly back and forth) employ a rapid whirring movement of their wings to raise their body temperatures. Perching dragonflies, on the other hand, who rely on solar energy for warmth, skillfully position their bodies to maximize the surface area exposed to sunlight. Some species even use their wings as reflectors, tilting them to direct the solar radiation toward their bodies. Conversely, during hot spells, some dragonflies strategically position themselves to minimize sun exposure, using their wings to deflect sunlight.
How long does it take for a dragonfly to molt?
When a nymph is finally ready for adulthood, it crawls out of the water onto a rock or plant stem and molts one final time. This process takes several hours or days as the dragonfly expands to its full body capacity. 2 These newly emerged dragonflies, known at this stage as teneral adults, are soft-bodied, pale, and highly vulnerable to predators. Until their bodies fully harden they are weak flyers, making them ripe for the picking. Birds and other predators consume a significant number of young dragonflies in the first few days after their emergence.
How do dragonflies see?
Thanks to two huge compound eyes, the dragonfly has nearly 360° vision and can see a wider spectrum of colors than humans. 4 Each compound eye contains 28,000 lenses or ommatidia and a dragonfly uses about 80% of its brain to process all of the visual information it receives. 3
Why do dragonflies migrate?
As with other migratory species, dragonflies relocate to follow or find needed resources or in response to environmental changes such as impending cold weather. Green darners, for example, fly south each fall in sizeable swarms and then migrate north again in the spring. Forced to follow the rains that replenish their breeding sites, the globe skimmer—one of several species that's known to spawn in temporary freshwater pools—set a new insect world record when a biologist documented its 11,000 mile trip between India and Africa. 2
How big are Griffenflies?
Griffenflies (Meganisoptera), the gigantic precursors to modern dragonflies had wingspans of over two feet 1 and dotted the skies during the Carboniferous period over 300 million years ago. 2 . 2. Dragonfly Nymphs Live In the Water.
Why do damselflies live in lakes?
There's a good reason why you see dragonflies and damselflies around ponds and lakes: They're aquatic! Female dragonflies deposit their eggs on the water's surface, or in some cases, insert them into aquatic plants or moss. Once hatched, the nymph dragonfly spends its time hunting other aquatic invertebrates.
What insects spawn in freshwater pools?
Forced to follow the rains that replenish their breeding sites, the globe skimmer—one of several species that's known to spawn in temporary freshwater pools—set a new insect world record when a biologist documented its 11,000 mile trip between India and Africa. 2 . 10. Dragonflies Thermoregulate Their Bodies.
How do dragonflies differ from damselflies?
Unlike damselflies, the front and rear wing pairs are shaped differently. In addition, dragonflies rest with their wings spread horizontally, rather than held vertically against each other (with the exception of one very small family, Epiophlebiidae). Dragonflies have a more powerful build and are generally much stronger fliers than damselflies. The globe skimmer (or wandering glider, Pantala flavescens ), a migratory dragonfly, for example, makes an annual multigenerational journey of some 18,000 km (about 11,200 miles); to complete the migration, individual globe skimmers fly more than 6,000 km (3,730 miles)—one of the farthest known migrations of all insect species. Dragonflies also have huge bulging eyes that occupy most of the head, giving some a field of vision approaching 360 degrees.
Why are dragonflies called snake doctors?
Dragonflies have also been known as “snake doctors” in the American South, owing to the superstition that they nurse ill snakes back to health. The term devil’s darning needle is derived from a superstition that dragonflies may sew up the eyes, ears, or mouth of a sleeping child, especially one who has misbehaved.
How big are dragonflies?
Compared with other insects, they are large, with some having wingspans of up to 16 cm (about 6 inches). Even the smallest species are about 20 mm (0.8 inch) across. As well as being extremely agile fliers, they are also among the fastest insects. Dragonfly wing muscles must be warm to function optimally, and so, if cool, the insect often engages in wing-whirring and basking in the sun to generate heat before taking flight. The dragonfly’s speed and agility contribute to its being one of the most effective aerial predators. Small flying insects are the usual fare, but some dragonflies regularly consume prey that is 60 percent of their own weight.
Why do dragonflies whirl?
Dragonfly wing muscles must be warm to function optimally, and so, if cool, the insect often engages in wing-whirring and basking in the sun to generate heat before taking flight . The dragonfly’s speed and agility contribute to its being one of the most effective aerial predators.
What are dragonflies larvae?
Different species of dragonfly larvae can be described as sprawlers, burrowers, hiders, or claspers. Their shape, metabolism, and respiration differ concordantly with the microhabitat they occupy. A dragonfly larva captures a fish by extending its labial mask. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
How far do dragonflies travel?
The globe skimmer (or wandering glider, Pantala flavescens ), a migratory dragonfly, for example, makes an annual multigenerational journey of some 18,000 km (about 11,200 miles); to complete the migration, individual globe skimmers fly more than 6,000 km (3,730 miles)—one of the farthest known migrations of all insect species.
What animation shows how a dragonfly larva extends its labial mask to capture prey?
Slow-motion animation demonstrates how a dragonfly larva extends its labial mask to capture prey.
How do dragonflies make the outdoors more enjoyable?
In addition to their striking color and dazzling aerial displays, dragonflies make our outdoor experience more enjoyable by reducing those pesky mosquitoes and gnats. Each dragonfly eats 30 to hundreds of mosquitoes a day. They are carnivores who eat all types of other insects too including cicadas, flies, and even other smaller dragonflies. To catch their prey, dragonflies create a basket with their legs. They then swoop in capturing their prey with their legs and biting it to hold it in place. They will often eat what they have caught while still flying.
What do you call a dragonfly?
Just as bird lovers go “birding," dragonfly lovers go “oding." The name is derived from their scientific order, odonata which means “toothed one” in Greek and refers to their serrated mandibles. There are over 5000 species worldwide and with nearly 100 species in Oregon alone, there is plenty to discover on your first oding field day!
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How many facets does a dragonfly have?
And then there are the eyes! A dragonfly’s head is taken up almost entirely by its eye. Giant compound eyes, containing 30,000 facets allow them to see almost everywhere at once. Imagine sitting in a room with 30,000 TV screens and keeping track of what’s happening on all of them at the same time. If you can accomplish that feat, you have a glimpse into what it’s like to hold the super powers of a dragonfly. Have you got four minutes? Here is a riveting BBC video about dragonfly’s vision:
Do dragonflies live in wetlands?
We think of dragonflies in their winged adult form but they actually spend most of their lives living under water in a nymph stage. During this stage, dragonflies rely on healthy rivers, ponds, and wetlands. Unfortunately freshwater ecosystems have experienced a severe decline and degradation worldwide. According to the Xerces Society, in less than 400 years from the time of European settlement, the conterminous United States lost more than half of the 221 million acres of wetlands that existed in the 1600s. Draining and filling these wetlands made way for increased settlement, industry, and farming.
Can you add videos to your watch history?
Videos you watch may be added to the TV's watch history and influence TV recommendations. To avoid this, cancel and sign in to YouTube on your computer.
Can you flush medicine down the toilet?
1) Never flush medicines down the toilet or the drain.
How does a dragonfly breathe?
The dragonfly nymph breathes through its anus. Additionally, when the dragonfly expels water from its anus, it is propelled forward, which helps the nymph move around. [1] There are several dragonflies in the genus Agriocnemis that take the title of the smallest dragonfly.
How long do dragonflies live?
Some species of dragonfly live only a few weeks, while others can live up to a year. [3] Dragonflies likely see better than humans. They can even see ultraviolet light. [2] A single dragonfly can eat 30 to hundreds of mosquitoes per day, making them natural mosquito control. [3]
How many times do dragonflies beat their wings?
Dragonflies beat their wings about 30 times per second. By comparison, bees beat their wings about 300 times per second. [1] Because dragonfly eyes have about 30,000 lenses, it can see nearly 360 degrees.
How fast do dragonflies fly?
Dragonflies are both agile and fast fliers, flying between 17 and 38 miles (27 km-61 km) per hour. [1] Depending on the altitude and latitude, some dragonfly species can remain in a larval state for up to six years. [1]
Why do dragonflies flap their wings?
Dragonflies will rapidly flap their wings to warm up their bodies. Some dragonflies even use their wings as reflectors, tilting them to direct solar radiation to their bodies. [1] A dragonfly can open its mouth as wide as its entire head. [1] In Indonesia, dragonflies are considered to be a delicious snack. [1]
What do dragonflies eat?
Dragonfly larvae eat just about anything, including tadpoles, fish, mosquitoes, and even each other. [1] Would you let one land on your head? In many cultures, it is considered good luck if a dragonfly lands on your head.
What happens if a dragonfly can't fly?
If a dragonfly can't fly, it will starve. They only eat prey they catch while they are flying. [1] The flight of the dragonfly is so efficient that it has inspired scientists to make robots that fly like these amazing insects. [1] Some species of dragonfly live only a few weeks, while others can live up to a year.
Why do dragonflies fly?
It is also an excellent way to escape predators. For dragonflies, the main reason they fly is to go out hunting and catch insects on the wing.
How fast can a dragonfly fly?
However, a general speed of between 30 and 35 miles per hour has been found in many studies.
Do dragonflies fly at night?
In general, most dragonflies aren’t particularly active at night, most sleeping away the time after dusk until dawn. However, there are some records of dragonflies being seen during the nighttime. This can be because they are migrating over the sea and are not able to land or because they are taking advantage of night-flying insects.
What can we learn from dragonflies?
The way a dragonfly flies is extraordinary. Their ability to turn quickly, alter their direction of flight, and move between different styles of flying, is a marvel of nature. So it’s no wonder humans have long studied dragonflies wings to try and find ways to copy this ability and turn it into the technology we can use so that we too can be masters of the sky.
How many wings can a dragonfly fly?
One of the fantastic things about dragonfly wings, and what makes them particularly great fliers, is that each one of the four wings can move independently. This is because they are each attached to separate muscles. It’s this independence of movement that allows the dragonfly to be so diverse in the way it flies, being able to turn sharply, hover, and even fly backwards.
Where are the wings on a dragonfly?
The all-important wings are, however, always there. They are folded neatly away into little wing buds, which sit on the dragonfly nymph’s back. It is only when the juvenile dragonflies climb out of the water for the first time and break out of their skin that they have a chance to stretch their wings.
Do dragonflies fly high above the ground?
Many insects have been found to fly up into the jet streams, high above the ground, in order to travel quickly between destinations. It is possible that dragonflies, particularly migrating ones, do similar. However, most of the time, dragonflies will stay pretty low, hunting where most of their prey is gathered, above ponds or hedgerows, or even over the crowns of trees.
